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Home › Pontiac › 2005 › GTO Automatic › Repair and Diagnosis › Steering › Steering Wheel & Steering Column › Repair Instructions › Steering Column Replacement › Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

    NOTE: Refer to Steering Column in Lock Position Notice in Cautions and Notices.
  1. LOCK the steering column. Verify the front wheels are in the straight ahead position.
  2. Remove the left instrument panel (I/P) lower trim panel retainer. Refer to Instrument Panel (I/P) Retainer Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  3. Remove the I/P outer cover. Refer to Instrument Panel (I/P) Outer Trim Cover Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  4. Remove the left side ventilation ducts. Refer to Instrument Panel (I/P) Air Outlet Ducts Replacement in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
  5. Remove the trim covers from the steering column. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement  .
  6. Remove the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.
  7. Remove the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement  .
  8. Remove the SIR coil. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Replacement in SIR.
  9. Remove the ignition lock cylinder. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement  .
  10. Remove the ignition switch and the ignition lock cylinder solenoid, if equipped. Refer to Ignition Switch Replacement  .
  11. Remove the multifunction turn signal switch. Refer to Multifunction, Turn Signal Switch Replacement  .
  12. Remove the windshield wiper and washer switch. Refer to Wipers/Washer Switch Replacement in Wipers/Washer Systems.
  13. Loosen, but do not remove, the bolts that retain the steering column to the I/P.
  14. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
    15. Fig 1: View Of Steering Shaft Coupling
    GM1381628Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  15. Remove and discard the nut (3) that retains the steering shaft coupling (2) to the steering gear pinion (4).
  16. Remove the bolt (1) from the coupling.
  17. Separate the coupling from the pinion.
    18. Fig 2: View Of Lower Steering Column
    GM1381635Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  18. Inside the vehicle, remove the 2 nuts (1,2) from the lower column.
    19. NOTE: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section.
  19. Support the column and remove the bolts from the upper column.
  20. Remove the column from the vehicle.
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